Cotton picker drum assembly



L. DAVENPORT COTTON PICKER DRUM ASSEMBLY May 6,1958

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 30, 1954 mm Wm fin w d. Wm A 9 N, o E y. B

y 6, 1958 L. DAVENPORT- 2,833,103

COTTON PICKER DRUM ASSEMBLY Filed April so, 1954 3 5 Sheets-Sheet s May6, 1958 Filed April 30, 1954 1.. DAVENPORT 2,833,103

COTTON PICKER DRUM ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Firro y 6 1958 1'...DAVENPORT R 2,833,103,

COTTON PICKER DRUM ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 30. 1954 UnitedStates Patent COTTON PrcKEn DRUM ASSEMBLY Leon Davenport, Leland, Miss,assignor of four-tenths to Southern Developers, Inc., Memphis, Tenn, 2corporation of Tennessee Application April 30, 1954, Serial No. 426,789

6 Claims. (Cl. Sui-44) This invention relates to improvements in cottonharvesting machines, and in particular is concerned with a light weight,etliciently operating cotton harvesting machine which is adapted to beused with conventional tractors. To be specific, this harvesting machineis concerned with a harvesting machine which is adapted to be supportedfrom the tractor and in which all of the driving parts may be suppliedby the power take-off from the tractor with a very eflicient utilizationof power by the harvesting machine.

There have been many types of harvesting machines devised in the past,but, in general, these types of machines are heavy, cumbersome andrequire a substantial amount of power for operation to eflicientlyeffect the cotton picking operation. Such machines have been expensive,difiicult to operate and economicallypractical only for the operation ofpicking operations in large cotton plantations and the like. By means ofthe present invention, there has been devised a light weight, economicalcotton harvesting machine or cotton picker which can be used with aconventional type of tractor supplied with a power take-ofi in a veryelficient operation.

The harvesting machine of this invention has two picker drums providedwith radial spindles which are adapted to be rotated in one direction inthe cotton picking operation and in the reverse direction in the cottonlint removal step. The power is supported from a single source and veryefficiently utilized so that the spindles are rotated only during thetime that they are actually in use, or for a portion of the revolutionof the drum.

The actuation of the spindles has been so provided in this inventionthat they are adapted to be engaged by two-prong wipers in such a mannerthat the cotton is effectively removed from the spindles in a wipingaction. This has been made possible by this invention through theprovision of cam actuating mechanisms which cause the spindles to bemoved laterally from their radial position in the cotton removal stagetoward a tangential position. This elfects a very efiicient removal ofsaid cotton when taken in conjunction with the reversal of the directionof rotation of the spindles.

In order to provide foreflicient adaptation of this machine toconventional types of tractors or other prime light in weight and simpleto operate, can be convenient ly used with any type of tractor or othermoving device.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a light weightcotton harvesting machine which can be used and supported from aconventional tractor provided with a power take-cit; Y j

It is a further object of this invention to provide a light weightcotton harvesting machine which can be ice suspended from the rear axlehousing of a tractor by a cantilever suspension system wherein theharvesting machine is suspended from and entirely removed and out ofcontact from the ground.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a light weight cottonharvesting machine adapted to be suspended from the rear axle of atractor by a cantilever suspension frame having a horizontal stabilizingmechanism and an alignment device to provide for proper orientation ofthe cotton harvesting machine andto insure that the machine will followthe line of cotton plants automatically.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a light weightcotton harvesting machine having rotating picking drums provided withspindles which are adapted to extend radially therefrom and rotate inone direction during the picking operation and in a reverse directionduring the cottom removing operation, depending upon the rotationalposition of the drums.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a cottonharvesting machine having a cotton picking drum provided with spindlesin which all of the power is provided by a power take-off, and whereinthe spindles are adapted to be rotated in a varying manner, dependingupon the rotational position of the drum, and said spindles are idleduring a further rotational path of the drum when the spindles are notpicking cotton or having cotton removed therefrom.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cotton harvestingmachine having a cotton picking drum, with the spindles extendingtherefrom, in which the spindles can be moved from a radial position toa tangential position to effect the wiping of the cotton from thespindles by cotton strippers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cotton harvestingmachine having cotton picking drums of the reel type in which cottonpicking spindles are adapted to be supported on a vertical reel member,and in which the driving parts for the spindle are enclosed within saidreel member for protection thereof. The reel member may be rotatedthrough a substantial arc inde-- pendently of the rotation of the drumto efiect a positioning of the spindles from the radial relationshipwith the drum to a more or less tangential relationship.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a cam actuatingmechanism for effecting the shifting of the cotton spindles in the reelmember from a radial position to a more or less tangential position,which is a manner that a very efficient utilization of power'iselfected, and no power is wasted on rotating the spindles when they arenot in a working stage.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a cotton harvestingmachine having a cotton picking drum of the reel type with pickingspindles supported on the vertical portion of the reel member, andwherein the spindles are adapted to be rotated in one direction in a;cotton picking stage and in a reverse direction in a cotton removalstage, and wherein the spindles are adapted to be moved from a radialposition to a tangential position, more or less, in the cotton removalstage so that the cotton can be unwound therefrom and wiped ofi by'astripping device. The stripping device is so arranged with respect tothe drum member that, when the spindles are caused to move to their moreor less tangential position, the stripping member moves substantiallyalong the axis of the spindle, rather than at right angles thereto toremove the cotton from the barbs on said spindles.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a cottonharvesting machine which is light weight yet rugged in construction,economical to operate and inexpensive to construct, and which can bemade from standard ma terials of construction. I

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cotton pickingspindle which has receiving means for a barb strip so that, when thebarbs are dulled, another strip having sharpened bars may be inserted inthe spindle in a very simple manner.

Other objects of. this invention will appear from the detaileddescription which follows, and will further be apparent to those skilledin the art.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings showingapreferred embodiment of this invention for the purpose of example only,and it is to be understood that various modifications and changestherein may be made as will be herein described.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of the cotton harvesting machine;I

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation taken from the left handof Figure 1 of the cotton harvesting machine with the cover removed fromthe left side thereof, and wherein the front of the machine appears atthe righ side of the drawing;

Figure 3 is a perspective view ofthe cotton harvesting machine takenfrom the right side of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view in schematic form showing the cotton harvestingmachine adapted to be connected to a conventional tractor;

Figure 5 isa view similar in schematic form to Figure 4, but taken inside elevation, from the left side of the machine;

Figure 6'is an enlarged sectional view showing in greater detail thefastening means of the harvesting machine suspension device forattachment to the rear axle housing of the tractor;

Figure 7. is a view in section taken on line 7--'/ of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view in section showing the harvesting machine attachmenton line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the feeding section of p the machineshowing in schematic arrangement the right hand and left hand pickerdrums and the associated lint collection boxes;

Figure 10 is a top planview of the driving means for the machine, andwherein the front of the machine appears at the left side of thedrawing;

Figure 11 is. a generally diagrammatic top plan view showing the drivearrangement for the right hand picker drum and spindles with the frontof the machine at the left in the drawing;

Figure 12 is a view partly in section taken on the line 12-12' of Figure11 showing the mounting of one of ,thespindle assemblies on the righthand drum;

Figure; 13 is an enlarged view partially in section showing thespindledrive shaft and mounting of the spindle on the spindle casing;

Figure14isa view in section taken on the line 1414 of Figure 12 showingthe spindle casing mounting;

Figure 15 is an enlarged elevation showing the interengagement of thewiper assemblies and spindle and a slightly modified supportingmechanism;

Figure 16 is a top plan view of the top plate of the picker drum;

Figure 17 is an enlarged View in section taken on the line. 1717 of thepicker drum plate;

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a wetting pad device for thepicker spindles;

Figure 19 is a view partly in section showing the mounting of the pickerspindle;

Figure 20 is a view partly in section showing the oper- 4 ation of thecam to effect lateral movement of the spindle casing and associatedspindles for the right hand drum, with the front of the machine at theright hand side of the drawing;

Figure 21 is a view partly in section showing the actuation of thespindles and positioning of the wiper prongs for the right hand pickerdrum, with the front of the machine at the left hand side of thedrawing;

Figure 22 is a plan view of a modified form of picker spindle;

Figure 23 is a view in section taken on the line 2323 of Figure 22; and

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a barb strip adapted to be used inthe spindle of Figure 22.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, a cotton harvesting machine isshown generally indicated at 30. It is connected to the rear axlehousing 31 of a tractor partially shown in dotted lines at 32.

The connecting and stabilizing means, which are more particularly shownin Figures 6, 7 and 8, include a square frame member 33 having flanges34which are adapted to be drawn together by bolt-s 35 for connection tothe tractor axle housing. Secured to the square frame member 33 is asleeve 36 within which fits a connection 37 having a bifurcated portionat its top 38.

A cantilever suspension frame 41 is secured by a pin 42 to theconnection 37, and is more fully shown in Figure 5 where it is disclosedas being attached to the harvesting machine 36 at its sides by pins 43and 44. Connected to the suspension frame by a pin 45 is a rod 46 whichis adapted to be extended or contracted by the hydraulic actuatingcylinder 47 connected at the other end to a rod 48.

At the bottom of the connection 37 connected by a pin 51 is a clevis 52which is connected to the rod 48 by a clevis pin 53.

Connected to the sides of the cotton harvesting machine, as shown inFigure 5, is a. horizontal stabilizer 54 having studs 55 and 56, whichare adjustable on the stabilizer and engage between them the suspensionframe 41. The angular relationship of the stabilizer 54 with respect tothe right end of the suspension frame 41, as shown in Figure 5, can bevaried by adjusting the studs 55 and 56 by threaded engagement (notshown) with the stabilizer 54. I

Lateral alignment springs 61 and 62 connect the left and right handfront sides of the harvesting machine to the square frame member 33.These springs are under tension to effect proper centering of theharvesting machine and orientation to follow the cotton stalk line.

The cotton harvesting machine is provided with a top cover 65,,a lefthand cover 66 having a curved portion 67 and a superstructure 68.Similarly, the right hand side cover 71 has a curved portion 72 and asimilar superstructure 73. The top cover and side covers are connectedto an internal frame 74 which extends along the top, bottom, sides andis used as a brace for the internal cotton picking parts which are to bedescribed.

Connected to the front of the harvesting machine and the frame 74 areleft hand cotton stalk guides and right'hand guides 81. These guides areadapted to contact the sides ofthe cotton stalks and guide the plants ina tunnel-like manner to within the interior of the harvesting machinefor the cotton picking operation.

The cotton picking drums and their mounting upon the harvesting machineare shown more particularly in Figures 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17.As shown in Figure 2, the right hand drum, which is generally indicatedat 75, includes a top plate 76 and a bottom plate 77 mounted mounted at78 and 79, respectively, upon a drum shaft 82. The shaft 82 ispositioned within a bearing cup 83 mounted on a frame member 84connected to the internal frame 74.

The top mounting plate 76 is shown in full detail in Figure 16, and hasa downwardly depending flange 85.

- The bottom plate 77 is alike in all respects and similarly has adownwardly turned flange 85. A pin 86 in a mounting 78 connects theplate to the shaft 82, and a similar connection is provided for themounting 79 for the bottom plate 77.

The left hand drum 88 is alike in all respects to the right hand drum75, and is mounted on an axle 89. It will be noted that both drums 75and 88 have their top and bottom plates, as particularly shown in Figure16, provided with semi-circular cut-out portions 90 along the peripheryof the plates for a reason to be set out below.

Each of the right hand and left hand drums is provided with a pluralityof spindle casings, as shown more particularly in Figures 11, 12, 13 and14. Figure 11 shows the spindle mounting arrangement for the right handdrum 75 as provided with spindle cases indicated at 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 and 102. The mounting of the spindle casing 91is shown particularly in Figures 12, 13 and 14, but it is to beunderstood that the other spindle casings are similarly mounted on boththe left hand and right hand drums. For the purposes of descriptiononly, the spindle arrangement and construction for the right hand drum75 will be illustrated, since it is to be understood, as will be moreparticularly described below, the spindle arrangement for the left handdrum is identical and the operation substantially the same in eachinstance, except in reverse or mirror image relation.

The casing 91 is secured to the top plate 76 by a bracket 104 and to thebottom plate 77 by a bracket 105, as shown in Figures 12 and 14. Thebrackets are secured to the flanges 85 of the drum plates 76 .and 77,respectively, and the upper bracket 104 is further provided with a camwheel 106 for a reason to appear. The cam wheel is mounted on a wheelsupport 107 connected to the casing. The lower end of the spindle casingis mounted in a bearing cup 108 which permits a partial rotation of thespindle casing within the plates of the drum between the limits of studs111 and 112 provided on the bottom drum plate 77. The pin 113, as shownin Figure 14, depending from the casing, normally is in contact with thestud 112 by the biasing action of the spring 114 which is mounted at oneside of the spindle casing 91 and at the other end of the spring to theshaft 82.

A spindle power shaft 115 extends through the casing from its top tobottom, and at the top of the casing passes through a bearing plate 116connected to a lower pulley 91' and an upper pulley 91". The spindledrive shaft 115 has connected to it along its axial length a pluralityof beveled spindle drive gears 117 which are pinned to the shaft by gearpins 118.

Each one of the drive gears 117 is associated with a spindle gear 121which is connected to a tapering spindle 122 provided with pointed barbs123 which point at an oblique angle across the axis of and toward theend of said spindle, as shown in Figure 22. The spindle in its entiretyis shown in more particular detail in Figure 19, where it is seen thatthe reduced diameter end 124 of the spindle shaft is adapted to bepositioned within an interior recess 125 of the spindle gear and lockedtherein by a threaded pin 126.

The spindle gear 121, as shown particularly in Figure 13, is adapted tobemounted in a spindle housing 127. This housing is furnished with anoil seal plate ring 128, a felt oil ring 131, a bushing housing 132, anda bushing 133 which is separated from the head of the drive gear by aspacer 134. The construction of all the spindle casings is similar andeach casing has a like number of spindle housings and spindles, whichfor the purposes of example and illustration of this invention would benine spindles for each spindle casing. However, the number of spindleson each casing is a matter of choice.

The stripping device used in this invention is best shown in Figures 2and 15 showing a modification of the supporting mechanism. In Figure 15,a stripper shaft 141 is supported by a bottom bearing cup 142 mounted ona brace 143 connected to the internal frame 74. At its top, the shaft isconnected to a top bearing cup 144 and a double sheave pulley 141'.Depending radially from the shaft 141 and axially spaced one fromanother, all in the same radial line, is a single bank of stripperscomposed of a plurality of two-pronged stripping elements 145. There arenine of the two-pronged strippers 145 in each bank, and the number ofbanks arranged circumferentially around the shaft 141 may vary but forthe purposes of example may be eight. The two-pronged strippers may becoated on their interior with a rubberoid material so as to protect thebarbs of the spindle 122 against injury in the cotton wiping operationwhich will be later described.

The cotton picking device is likewise shown in Figures 2 and 15 asincluding a cotton dofiing shaft 151 supported in a bottom bearing cup152 and a top bearing cup 153. The bottom bearing cup 152 is mounted ona base 154 connected to the internal frame 74. The shaft 151 is likewiseconnected to a bottom pulley 151 adapted to be driven by a pulley 155connected to a driving pulley 141" fixedly attached to the strippingshaft 141. v

The cotton dofling shaft 151 is used as a base to support doflingelements 156 which are radially positioned in a single bank axially fromthe top to the bottom of the shaft, each bank numbering nine dofiingelements which are designed to pass between the associated prongs of thestripping elements 145, asshown in Figure 15. The banks of the dofiingelements may vary in number but for the purposes of description thereare eight in number circumferentially spaced about the periphery of theshaft 151.

The-stripping and dofi'ing devices just described have been for theright hand portion of the machine, and a similar left hand strippingdevice is indicated generally at'161 with the left hand lifting devicebeing designated 7 at 162, and the integral parts thereof are identicalwith those described above for the right hand elements.

Both the right hand stripping and doffing devices are positioned withina right hand cotton evacuating or suction chamber designated generallyat 163, which is defined by an outside wall 164 formed by a portion ofthe side 71 of the harvesting machine, an end wall 165 and an interiorwall 166. The chamber 163 is further delined by a bottom wall 167 and atop wall 168, on which the bearing cups 153 and 144 are mounted.

The construction of the left hand cotton evacuating chamber, designatedgenerally at 171, is similar in all respects to the right hand chamber.A cotton exhaust conduit 172 leads from the bottom of the right handchamber 163 to one side of an exhaust blower 173 mounted on the top ofthe internal frame 74. Similarly, an. exhaust conduit 175 leads from theleft hand chamber 171 to the same side of the fan. An outlet conduit 176leads from the outside of the fan and directs the cotton to a desiredpoint. The fan is provided with a drive shaft 177 having a drive pulley178 at the end thereof to provide for driving force.

A device for moistening the picking spindles 122 is shown in Figure 18mounted on a supporting bracket 181, as shown in Figure 9 where saidbracket is mounted on the side wall 72 of the harvesting machine.Supported on the bracket is a water reservoir 182 connected to a smallcapillary tube 183 leading to a pair of moistening pads 184 and 185.Branch tubes 186 and 187, respectively, provide moistening of these padswhich are secured by connecting plates 188 and 189, respectively to' foradequate moistening ofthe picking spindles just immediately prior totheir being used in picking operations,

as appears in Figure 9. The left hand moistening device is indicatedgenerally at 191 and issimilar in all respects tothe righthandapparatus.

A spindle positioning cam generally indicated at 195 is-' shown inFigures 2, 20 and 21. This cam has a cam surface 196 which, as shown inFigures 20 and 21, engages the roller 106 of the spindle casing when thespindle is moved opposite 'said cam by the rotation of the drum. Figures20 and 21 both show the cam 195 for the right hand drum, but it is to beunderstood that the left hand cam is identical in operation except, ofcourse, that the direction is reversed for the rotation of the spindlecasing and the respective drum. In Figure 21, the striking of the camsurface by the roller 106 has caused the spindle casing to move in aclockwise direction so that the pin 113 moves out of contact with thestud 12.2 against the biasing force of the spring 114 toward the stud111. p

The driving force for the power actuation of the cotton harvestingmachine of this invention is supplied by a conventional power take-offfrom the tractor through a main power shaft 201, as best shown inFigures 2, 3, l and 11. This shaft is provided with a worm gear portion202, and is supported by a plurality of pillow block bearings 203, 204,205 and 206 mounted on trans verse portions of the frame 74.

A pulley 207, as shown in Figure 10, is fixed to the drive shaft 201 andis adapted to be connected to a pulley belt 208 to provide power to thefan drive shaft 177.

Another pulley 211 isconnected intermediately of the in Figure 10,through the worm gear 202, the sprocket gears 221, 222 and sprocketchain 223 to drive the drum shaft 82. Similarly, power to the left handdrum 88 is supplied through sprocket gears 224, 225 and sprocket chain226 to drive the drum shaft 89. All of the aforementioned gearsassociated with both the left hand and L right hand drums are mounted onthe frame 74.

The drive arrangement for rotating the spindles and reversing therotation thereof is best shown in Figures Z'aud ll, 12 and 15. A maindrive double sheave pulley 141, as previously described. is connected tothe stripping shaft 141 which received power from the main drive shaft201; as previously described. A pulley belt 231 connects said pulley 141with an idler pulley 232 which is housed within the superstructure ofthe right hand sidecover plate of the harvesting machine, and

an intermediate twin pulley 2.33 which for drive belt 231' acts asanidler pulley in the bottom half of this twin pulley. The pulley belt231 then contacts pulleys 102, 91', 92' and 93, respectively, to effecta clockwise rotation of the drive shafts to which these pulleys areconnected. This is particularly'shown in Figure 12 where the bottompulley 91 causes the shaft 115, shown in Figure 13, to rotate in aclockwise direction to move the spindles 122 in a counterclockwisedirection.

It will be noted at this time that the pulley belt 231 contacts only theaforementioned pulleys associated with the spindle drive shafts in thespindle casing so that the major portion of the spindle drive shafts arenot caused to be rotated in any manner by this pulley belt, as appearsin Figure 11. Thus, none of the pulleys 94, 95, 96', 97', 98', 99, 100'and 101' are affected in this particular rotational stage of the drum 75by said pulley belt.

A reversing drive pulley belt 234 is adapted to be driven by. the tophalf of the twin pulley 233 so that this having pointed barbs 244thereon.

pulley passes around other pulleys 235, 236 and 237 in the directionindicated in Figure 11. This reversing pulley belt will then contact anddrive the top pulleys on the respective drive shafts of spindle casings95, 96 and 97, as indicated for the top pulleys 95", 96", and 97", tocause a reverse rotation of the spindle shafts and thereby a similarreverse rotation of the picking spindles as compared to the spindles andspindle casing 102, 91, 92 and 93 just previously mentioned.

A modified form of spindle is shown in Figures 22, 23 and 24. As appearstherein, a spindle shaft 241 is provided with a plurality of axial slots242 extending in an axial direction and spaced about the periphery ofthe spindle. In these slots are positioned strips of metal 243 Thesestrips may be conveniently secured within the slots by staking over aportion of the strip or by any other conventional securing means.

The spindle shown in Figures 22 to 24 is of particular advantage since,when the barbs are dulled, a new strip can be readily inserted therein,and the strips are expendible should any of the barbs be broken. Thisspindle obviates a disadvantage long felt in the field since sharpcningof the barbs on the spindle was an almost impos sible task. Further, thespindle bases need not be removed from the machine when inserting thestrips, which reduces greatly the so-called down time.

Operation be made at the left side, and where desired two such chinesmight be used side by side to simultaneously harvest two furrows.

The harvesting machine 30 in use is suspended as shown in Figure aslight distance from the ground, and this elevation is effected by theextension or contraction of the rod 46 in the hydraulic cylinder 47.This allows" the cantilever suspension frame 41 to move either upwardlyor downwardly at its free end through rotation about the pin 42 and thebifurcated yoke 38 of the connection 36. When the proper verticaladjustment has been made, the machine is'horizontally stabilized bymeans of the stabilizer 54 so that the adjustable studs This preand 56engage between them the frame 41'. vents rocking of the harvestingmachine and' insures a level positioning.

Lateral adjustment of the machine is effected by the springs 61 and 62leading from the right and left side of the machine to the connection36, and wherein proper adjustment is effected by the turnbuckles 40 toinsure that the machine is pointed along the axis of the tractor and isaligned with the cotton plants.

As the tractor is operated and as it follows the furrows in the field,the cotton harvesting machine will ride freely suspended behind thetractor a short distance from the ground in such a position, as shown inFigure 4, that the center line of the cotton stalks will pass directlybetween isms, the machine is adapted to automatically follow slightirregularities in the'line of the plants, since the stalk guides and 81will follow the cotton plants so 1 that the plants are at all times setin a line into the maw of the machine. This is made possible since theharvesting machine can turn slightly in a lateral direction because ofthe biasing means 61 and 62 which allow slight give and take in either aright hand or left hand lateral direction with respect to the tractor.

As the harvesting machine advances, cotton plants are fed to the righthand drum, first of all, as appears in Figure 9, and then subsequentlyto the left hand drum. The direction of travel in the machine of Figure9 is from right to left, as appears in the direction of travelindicated. The cotton stalks, after being guided into the maw of themachine by stalk guides 79 and 81), pass into the right hand drumpicking area indicated generally by the shaded line region indicated at251. This region is bounded on the right hand side by the picking drum75 and on the left hand side by the right hand crowder wall 252. As themachine progresses, the cotton stalks are split by the left hand crowderwall 253, and the portion of the cotton stalks which has been picked bythe right hand drum passes through the area bounded by the wall 166 andsaid left hand crowder wall 253. The other portion which represents theleft hand half of the cotton plants, and which has not been acted uponby the right hand drum picker, passes into the left hand drum pickingarea, generally indicated at 254 which is bounded on the right hand sideby the wall 253 and on the left hand side by the left hand picking drum88. This portion of the cotton as the machine progresses over it is thenpassed through the area defined by the wall 253 and the inside wall ofthe chamber 71 as it leaves the machine in cleaned condition.

The cotton which has been picked by the rotating spindles of the righthand drum 75 in the region 251 is then carried by the rotation of thedrum into region 255, where it is stripped by the stripping device. Thestrippers rotate about the shaft 141 which moves in a counterclockwisedirection similarly to the counterclockwise rotation of the drum 75. Thecotton which has been stripped by the two-pronged strippers 145 of thestripping device is then doifed therefrom by the engagement of thesingle-prong doifers 156 which are rotated in a clockwise direction bythe lifter shaft 151. The clean cotton is then evacuated from thechamber 163 by the vacuum in conduit 172 through the action of theblower 173 and discharged through the conduit 176 into a convenientreceptacle or wagon which follows the harvesting machine, as isconventional in the art.

The stripping action for the left hand side of the machine is similar tothat just described for the right hand section as it takes place in thestripping region 256. The stripped cotton is then lifted from thestripping device by the single-prong doifers rotated by the shaft 162 inthe chamber 171, and removed therefrom by the vacuum in the conduit 175and discharged into the same outlet 176.

The particular operation of the spindles and the drive engagementtherefor is best understood by referring to Figure 11 taken inconjunction with Figures 2, 9 and 12. The operation of the right handdrum in the havesting machine, which advances in the direction of thearrow indicated from right to left, is shown in Figure 11, and it is tobe seen, as mentioned previously, that the drum rotates about the shaft82 in a counterclockwise direction. At the same time, the pulley belt231 is driven by the pulley 141 in a clockwise direction, and it is theoperation of this pulley that effects the counterclockwise rotation ofthe individual spindles in each spindle casing.

Since the power for the spindle drive shafts, as shown in Figure 13 forthe drive shaft 115, can, be supplied only by the upper and lowerpulleys which for the spindle casing 91 are, as shown in Figure 12, 91"or 91, respectively, it is obvious that, when neither of these pulleysis driven by a pulley belt, there will be no rotation of the individualspindles on that particular spindle casing. Thus, as appears in Figure11, the spindles for. the spindle casings 98, 99, 100, 101 and 94 areall stationary in this particular rotational position of the drum 75.

However, for the spindles 102, 91, 92 and 93, the lower pulleys, whichfor each case will be respectively 102', 91', 92', and 93', will bedriven in a clockwise direction by the main drive pulley belt 231. Thiswill impart a similar clockwise direction to the shafts on which thesepulleys are mounted in the spindle casings, and as appears in Figure 13this clockwise direction will cause a counterclockwise direction of thespindles 122.

However, in the case of the spindle casings 95, 96 and 97, it will beseen that, although these spindles have their pulleys out of contactwith the main drive belt, their upper pulleys 95", 96" and 97" aredriven by the reversing pulley belt 234. This pulley is driven in aclockwise direction by the top half of the twin pulley 233,

which is in turn driven in a clockwise direction by the.

engagement of its bottom half with the main pulley drive belt 231. Byreferring to said Figure 11, it will be seen that this reversing drivepulley belt 234 will cause the upper pulleys in the spindle casings justmentioned to rotate in a counterclockwise direction so as to reverse therotation of the spindles associated with the respective spindle casingsto a clockwise'direction.

It will now be seen that, by referring back to the spindle casings 102,91, 92 and 93, the counterclockwise direction of rotation of thespindles 22 is in the same direction as the pointed barbs 123 which areset at an angle to the axis of the spindles. This is seen in more detailby reference to Figure 13, and :by means of this particular arrangementthe spindles, as they contact the cotton in the region 251 shown inFigure 9, grasp the cotton fibers in a much more secure manner so as toclean the cotton fibers from the cotton plants in a very eflicientmanner. By this means and the particular rotation of the spindles, thecotton fibers are caused to be more or less wound on the spindles. Then,as the cotton on these spindles is transferred from region 251 to thestripping region. 255 for the right hand drum by the rotation of thedrum, the reverse rotation just described for the spindles in saidstripping region makes the stripping action much more eflicient, sincethese fibers are more or less unwound and are thereby loosened andstripped much more readily from the spindles.

The stripping action is further enhanced by the lateral shifting of thespindles caused by the engagement of the spindle rollers 106 with thecam 195, as appears in Figures 11, 20 and 21. the spindle casing 96 theengagement of its roller with the cam has caused the entire spindlecasing to shift in a clockwise direction against the force of thebiasing spring 114 in such a manner that the spindle 122 is shifted froma radial position with respect to the drum to a more or lesstangentialposition. This shifting of the position of the spindle can bevaried according to the shape, size and extent of the cam surface 196,so that, if desired, the cam may be extended so as to cause the lateralshifting of the spindles 94 and 95 as well, where this is to be sought.For instance, it is contemplated that, if longer spindles are desired tobe used, the cam could be extended in such a manner so as to extend intothe region 251, which would cause a lateral shifting of the spindles asthey pass through this region, and would thereby prevent the longerspindles from knocking against the crowder walls 252 and 253.

As mentioned previously, the engagement of the roller associated withthe spindle casing by the cam causes the spindle casing to lag or assumea more or less tangential position, and by means of this positioning thepin 113 in the bottom of the spindle casing as appears in Figure 14,will be caused to move from stud 112, in which it is in normalengagement by the force of the biasing means, toward the stud 111. Thisis more fully shown by Figure 2l. It will furtherbe noted that thisshifting arrangementandthe spring biasing of the spindle casing againstthe stud 112 in all positions of the spindle casing-shown in Figure 11,except for the spindles in casings 96 and 97,

Thus, it will be seen that forv permits an automatic spindle releaseshould the ma.- chine become obstructed or clogged with cotton. Thus,should the region 251 become partially obstructed with cotton,the'spindles on spindle casings 102, 91, 92 and 93, which would passtherethrough, would strike this obstruction. The spindle casings wouldthen be caused by the force thereof to move against the biasing spring114 in a clockwise manner about the spindle. drive shafts. This willsubstantially relieve any force tending to break the spindles by suchobstruction or clogging of the machine.

As a further extension, of the manner in which the cam can be modified,it should be noted that the cam could be extended to contact the rollersof the spindle casings 98 and 99, as shown in Figure 11, so that, whenthese spindles pass through the wetting device shown in Figures 9 and18, they will lag or pass through it in the direction of their axes. Asshown in Figure 18, however, the cam has not been so extended, and thespindles 122 pass through the wetting pads at right angles to the axesof the spindles. It will be observed, however, that the direction of thepointed barbs 123 is such that there will be a minimum of resistance tothe top pad 184. r

The wetting system shown in Figure 18 makes possible the wetting of thespindles prior to their picking the cotton in region 251, whicheffectively increases the cotton picking ability of the spindles sincethe fibers more easily adhere to the spindles when they are wet.

Returning to the stripping operation for the right hand drum in region255, it will be seen by referring to Figure 21 that the wiping action ofthe two-pronged strippers is more or less along the axis of thespindles, so that, when these spindles are rotated and lag in the moreor less tangential position shown in this figure, the cotton is unwoundfrom the reversely rotating spindles and is cleanly wiped off by thetwo-pronged. strippers. This particular means for stripping the spindlesby their shift in position greatly enhances this stripping action toremove all of the cotton wound thereon with a minimum of force. Afterthe cotton has been removed. by the two-pronged strippers, it is doffedtherefrom by the engagement of the single-prong dolfers, as shown inFigure 1S, and then evacuated from the chamber 163 as above described.The operation in the left hand picking, stripping, and doffing area isidentical with that described for the right hand section, but, asappears in Figure 9, the direction of rotation of the elements isreversed.

By means of this invention, there has been provided a cotton harvestingmachine which can be used with conventional tractors and, the like as anauxiliary piece of equipment. The harvesting machine is easily supportedand is adapted to follow the cotton plants in an automatic mannerwithout any detailed attention being required by the operator. In thisoperation, a very eflicient utilization of power is effected, since thespindles are rotated only during the actual picking or strippingoperation, and at all other times arestationary, such that no power isexpended thereon. The machine is extremely easy and simple to operateand, since it is made of standard materials of construction in a veryrugged manner, the maintenance problems are at a minimum.

Various changes and modifications may be made according to the teachingof this invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Suchchanges and modifications are within the scope of this invention asdefined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is: I

1. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drumincluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles at aplurality of stations. around the periphery of the drum wherein the axisof said spindles is perpendicular to the axis of said drurn, saidsupporting means including a 1-2 plurality of elongated spindle casingsarranged parallel to the axis of and connected to said drum andextending about the periphery thereof, said spindles being supported onsaid casings in a radial position perpendicular to the axis of saidcasings and radially about the periphery of the drum, and biasing meansfor individually shifting all the spindles supported by an individualcasing froma radial position toward a tangential position with respectto said drum without changing the relative position with respect to thecasing when said spindles are contacted by an obstruction, said biasingmeans being connected between the individual casing and the drum andurging the casing to a normal position in which the spindles extend fromthe drum.

2. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drum meansiucluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles at aplurality of stations around the periphery of the drum wherein the axisof said spindles is perpendicular to the axis of said drum in a cottonpicking zone, said supporting means including a plurality of elongatedspindle casings arranged parallel to the axis of and connected to saiddrum and extending about the periphery thereof, drive means includingdrive shafts cooperating with said spindles for rotating said spindlesenclosed within said casings, said spindle drive means furthercomprising reversely driven drive belts separately engageable. with saiddrive shafts for driving said spindles in reverse directions, and cottonstripping means operatively associated with said spindles for removingcotton from the spindles in a stripping zone, saiddrive means beingadapted to wind the cotton upon said spindles in the picking zone andunwind the cotton from the spindles in the stripping zone.

3. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drum meansincluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles at aplurality of stations around the periphery of the drums wherein the axisof said spindles is perpendicular to the axis of said drum, drum drivingmeans operatively associated therewith for rotating the drum whereby thespindles pass through a cotton picking zone, a cotton stripping zone anda spindle rest zone, and spindle driving means including spindle driveshafts supported on the drum means for intermittently driving spindlesindependently of said drum driving means in the picking and strippingzones, said spindle drive means further comprising reversely drivendrive belts separately engageable with said drive shafts for drivingsaid spindles in reverse directions about their axis in the picking zoneand in the stripping zone, said spindles having no rotational movementabout their axis in said rest zone.

4. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drum meansincluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles radially atseparate stations about the periphery of the drum and at a substantiallyfixed distance from the center of the drum, spindle shifting meansopcratively associated with said spindles for intermittently shiftingthe spindles from said radial position toward a tangential position,said spindles being provided with pointed barbs pointing at an acuteangle away from the axis of said spindles, and means operativelyassociated with said spindles for driving said spindles, said meansincluding spindle drive shafts supported on the drum means, said spindledrive means further comprising reversely driven drive belts separatelyengageable with said drive shafts for driving said spindles in reversedirections, said spindles being driven in a picking zone in a rotarydirection about the axis in the direction of said pointed barbs to windthe cotton securely on said spindles and being driven in a reversedirection in a stripping zone.

5. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drum meansincluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles radiallyabout the periphery of the drum, spindle shifting means operativelyassociated with said spindles for shifting the spindles from said radialposition toward a tangential position, said supporting means including aplurality of elongated spindle casings arranged parallel to the axis ofsaid drum and extending about the periphery thereof, and drive meansoperatively associated with said spindles for rotating said spindlesenclosed within said casings, said spindle casings being free to rotatepartially about their individual axis independently of the drum, andsaid shifting means including a cam adapted to engage means on saidindividual casings to cause partial rotation of said spindle casingsdepending on the rotational position of said drum.

6. A cotton harvesting machine having rotary picking drum meansincluding a plurality of cotton picking spindles adapted to pick cottonfrom cotton stalks as they are fed in contact therewith, said drum meansincluding means for supporting said cotton picking spindles at separatestations in a radially extending position about the periphery of saiddrum and at a substantially fixed distance from the center of the drumin a biased condition, and biasing means operatively associated with 14said drum means and spindles for individually shifting the spindleswhich contact an obstructing force from the radial position toward atangential position with respect to said drum When the machine becomesobstructed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,134,158 Pruser Apr. 6, 1915 1,219,204 Ward Mar. .13, 1917 1,408,672Wills Mar. 7, 1922 1,500,992 Irwin July 8, 1924 1,530,151 Berry Mar. 17,1925 1,668,247 Morava May 1, 1928 1,751,389 Bledsoe Mar. 18, 19301,802,022 Johnston et a1. Apr. 21, 1931 1,926,337 Johnston Sept. 12,1933 1,926,338 Johnston Sept. 12, 1933 1,942,405 Basquin et a1. Jan. 9,1934 2,034,907 Johnston Mar. 24, 1936 2,101,100 Rust et al. Dec. 7, 19372,311,859 Oehler Feb. 23, 1943 2,401,152 Hagen May 28, 1946 2,433,083Baker et a1 Dec. 23, 1947 2,508,842- Searles May 23, 1950 2,651,160Lucius Sept. 8, 1953 2,651,161 Walker Sept. 8, 1953 2,667,726 Vogel Feb.2, 1954 2,669,080 Swim Feb. 16, 1954 2,680,341 Haring June 8, 19542,692,469 Smith Oct. 26, 1954 2,703,474 Smith Mar. 8, 1955

